Author's Ramblings:  I've tried for a long time to post this chapter on FF.Net, but something kept snarking up.  I'm not sure what the problem was, but it seems to be working now.  Anyhoo, this is the last installment of "A Vision of Forever".  I hope you enjoy it!  Once again, thank you to all of my reviwers!  -

Disclaimer:  Me no own.

Chapter Fourteen: The Wedding

A MONTH LATER, AFTER ALL CITIZENS HAVE RETURNED TO FANELIA.

-In Van's (and Hitomi's) Bedchamber-

            "I'm so happy that we're finally getting married tomorrow!" Hitomi exclaimed.

            "Same here," agreed Van.  He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against him.  You feel so good against me…

            "Van," she whispered.

            "Hitomi," he sighed.  "I want to kiss you so badly, but I know that if I do I'll just carried away."

            "I know what you mean.  Let's save this for tomorrow night, then," she suggested.  The two each smiled a serene, peaceful smile, despite their anxiousness about their impending marriage.  Soon, both were asleep, dreaming of their "happily ever after."

-The Fanelian Square, the next day-

            Van stood at the altar, in full royal garb, as he watched the wedding ceremony begin. 

First there was the flower girl, Nadya, as chosen by Hitomi.  She sprinkled Rubithyst petals down the navy blue royal carpet, receiving many 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from the Fanelian people for her incredible cuteness.  She was followed by the ring bearer, none other than Chid.  Van had selected him with pride.  He simply adored the young Duke of Freid, and their friendship was growing.  The rings Chid carried were beautiful, the traditional ornate rings exchanged at a Fanelian wedding ceremony.  The masculine ring was gold, with the Fanelian crest imprinted in it.  The feminine one was smaller, but basically identical.

Next came the Best Man.  Of course, Van chose Allen.  Even though they might not have socialized a whole lot, they respected each other.  And that respect had quickly formed into a solid friendship.  Allen escorted the Maid of Honor, Merle.  Although significantly shorter than the suave Knight Caeli, Merle was chosen by Hitomi anyway.  The two might have fought over Van in the past, but they had rapidly discovered a friendship where their competition existed before.

Following Merle and Allen were the rest of the bridesmaids.  Millerna, who was noticeably rounding out to make room for her baby, her sister Erles, as well as Allen's sister Celena were among them.  Hitomi had even let Aaron's two sisters be bridesmaids, though they had never met previously.  Aaron was the Fanelian guard selected to open the giant oak doors of the palace and present the very-soon-to-be Queen to the people, which was a very esteemed honor in Fanelian culture.

And finally, she came.

Van gasped as he saw her.  Her dress was of her own design, and it was beautiful on her.  It was made of expensive laces and satins, and it hugged and accentuated her feminine curves.  And her bouquet?  Emersidians.  She walked gracefully to the altar to join Van, her white Fanelian slippers padding softly on the royal carpet.  She was soon standing next to him, and, as custom dictated, the two kneeled in front of the priest.

            "My fellow citizens of Fanelia, we are gathered here to witness a momentous joining.  Not only the joining of King and Queen, husband and wife, and heart and heart, but of Gaea and the Mystic Moon," the priest began.  He turned to Van.  "King Van Slanzar de Fanel, do you accept Kanzaki Hitomi of the Mystic Moon as your only wife, soul mate, and Queen?  Do you vow upon Fanelia to love and cherish her for always and never seek another woman?"

            Van smiled.  "I do."

            The priest turned to Hitomi.  "Kanzaki Hitomi of the Mystic Moon, do you accept King Van Slanzar de Fanel to be your only husband, soul mate, and King?  Do you promise to love and cherish him for always and never seek another man?"

            Hitomi smiled.  "I do."

            The two continued to kneel, and Chid handed them the rings.  Van took the feminine one and slipped it onto Hitomi's finger as he said, "With this ring, I bind myself with you."

Hitomi took the masculine one and slipped it onto Van's finger as she said with a smile, "With this ring, I bind myself with you."

            They stood, and bowed before the priest, who smiled softly.  "From this day forward, citizens of Fanelia, the two you see before you are husband and wife, your King and Queen."  He turned to Van.  "You may kiss your bride."

            In one swift moment, Van removed the veil concealing Hitomi's soulful green eyes.  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.  The pendant that had once been Hitomi's glowed against his royal garb, and so did the Energist within Hitomi.

            Two hearts became one.

            The people cheered, clapping hands and wiping away their tears of joy.

-That night, in Their Bedchamber-

            "I love you, Hitomi," Van said as he carried her over the threshold to their bedchamber.

            "I love you too, Van," she said as she smiled.

            He deposited her on the bed.  He backed away just for a moment.  "Are you sure you want to?  Because if you don't want to for any reason at all, we don't have to," he asked quietly.

            "Van, we've been waiting a year and a month for this very night!  I am absolutely positive that I want to," she assured him with a smile.

            That was all the encouragement he needed.  Only one other decision had to be made.  "So, shall I make love to you with our wings out?  Or in…?" he asked with a grin.

            "Definitely with wings out!" she exclaimed as she sat up a bit.  Her own wings burst out of her back; pulling off the robe she was wearing and exposing herself completely.

            Van blushed a little, seeing her for the first time.  But he tried to hide his embarrassment, and he said, "I was hoping that's what you'd decide."  He let his wings shoot out; pulling off the robe he was wearing.

            It was Hitomi's turn to blush.

            Two bodies became one, and the next heir to the throne of Fanelia was conceived that very night.

Epilogue

            "Mommy!  Daddy!  Look!  Look at me!" squealed the five-year-old Princess of Fanelia.

            Van and Hitomi gazed lovingly at their daughter, who had recently discovered she had wings.  "They're beautiful, Fiona," Hitomi complimented.

            Fiona smiled, her green eyes sparkling.  "Thank you, Mommy!" she exclaimed as she scampered throughout the garden, her long black hair flowing behind her, a sharp contrast to her white wings.

            Van chased after his giggling child, and managed to scoop her up in his arms.  "They're as beautiful as your mom's," he said with a smile.

            Fiona smiled again.  "Thank you, Daddy!" she exclaimed as she hugged him.  She slithered out of his grasp, and began to play in the garden again.  She was joined in her romping by Merle, who, though she was nineteen now, was still a kid at heart.

            Van turned to Hitomi.  "You know, if I had never met you, I know I'd never be happy with the fact of my child having wings," he said, as he pulled her into his arms.

            Hitomi feigned insult.  "So you're saying you'd have a baby with someone other than me?"

            "You know I didn't mean it that way," he said as he winked.

            "I know," she replied as she returned his wink.  She gazed into his brownish red eyes.  "I love you, Van.  I'm so happy that…well, that everyone's happy," she said with a laugh.

            "I love you too, Hitomi," he said as he pressed her to him tighter.  "And I am happy too.  I'm happy that Freid and Palas are finally completely rebuilt, I'm happy that Merle and Aaron will be getting married soon, I'm happy that Chid and Nadya are planning to get married in a couple of years or so, I'm happy that Millerna and Dryden have raised Ry to be the polite little prince he is.  But above all of that, I'm happy that I have you and Fiona."

            "Van," she sighed.

            "Hitomi," he whispered.

            And they kissed.

I almost can't believe that I can claim ownership to a complete chaptered fanfic now.  That has never happened before. -¿   I hope you've enjoyed this!  I don't think it has been my best work, but I'm glad I decided to post it here on FF.Net.  Thank you for reading!  -